The top Matildas will now receive $41,000 a year, with a new second tier set at $30,000 per annum in addition to match fees. The previous base salary had been just $21,000. Players will also receive payments via their ongoing contracts with W-League clubs, and be given daily allowances during national team camps and on match days.

Quarter-finalists at June's Women's World Cup in Canada, the Matildas went on strike in September, deciding to forgo a trip to face world champions the U.S. unless the FFA met their demands.

Advertisement

Speaking on Sunday after her club side, Melbourne Victory, were defeated by Adelaide United, Raso said the industrial action was vindicated by the pay increase. "Obviously the girls have all been working really hard at this," Raso said.

"We didn't go on the US trip, which isn't something that we wanted to do but in order for the game to grow and for the future of women in sport I think it's something we had to do. So it's really great to get a resolution, so all the girls are pretty happy about that at the moment."

Asked whether she thought the pay raise would have been obtained if not for the strike, Raso was forthright. "I don't think so. So I think that has benefited us big time. It's definitely what we were wanting out of this so it;s good and hopefully we can continue growing that."

The Matildas now have their eyes set on qualification for next year's Rio Olympics. In order to make it to Brazil, they will need to progress through an Asian qualifying tournament, in which they will play China, Japan, Vietnam, North Korea and South Korea during the tournament, being held during March in Japan.

Alen Stajcic's side returned to the field for the first time since the World Cup last month, touring China.

Victory are bottom of the W-League after losing their first four games of the season. Coach Dave Edmondson should regain experienced defender Thea Slatyer, for next week's match away to Western Sydney, but Victory will be without captain and goalkeeper Melissa Babrbieri, who was sent off against the Lady Reds.

Raso said it was incumbent on her to lead by example as one of a few experienced hands in the side. "We have to work with the girls. we have to show them how it's done, we have to work with them," she said.

"We need to go back out to training and teach the girls to work harder."